Exploring Corinthians #42

Foolish Talk

2 Corinthians 11:1–2 NKJV

1 Oh, that you would bear with me in a little folly—and indeed you do bear with me. 2 For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

2 Corinthians

Paul’s discourse in chapters 11-13 are somewhat repetitive. They seem to echo about the foolish ways the Corinthians chose to live by .

Paul calls for the Corinthians to bear with him in his folly (foolishness)

Why? because he(Paul) was jealous with godly jealousy over them

Because he wanted to present them to Christ as a chaste virgin

But he was worried about them being corrupted from the simplicity of Christ

because there were false teachers and preachers leading them astray.

He even says that Satan transforms himself into an angel of light to deceive believers, and that his ministers transform themselves into ministers of righteousness but their works will reveal them.

Paul confessed that he robbed other churches in order to preach the gospel to the Corinthians.

He said for no one to think him a fool but to receive him as a fool in his boasting.

in verses 22-33 he summarizes his ministry in which some of them would most likely laugh at the things that Paul said made him successful.

Illustration of the Pastors Pulpit Committee

DEAR ABBY: One of the toughest tasks a church faces is choosing

a good minister. A member of an official board undergoing

this painful process finally lost patience. He'd watched

the pastoral relations committee reject applicant after

applicant for some fault, alleged or otherwise. It was time

for a bit of soul-searching on the part of the committee.

So he stood up and read a letter purporting to be from another

applicant.

"Gentlemen: Understanding your pulpit is vacant, I should

like to apply for the position. I have many qualifications.

I've been a preacher with much success and also have had

some success as a writer. Some say I'm a good organizer.

I've been a leader most places I've been.

"I'm over 50 years of age. I have never preached in one

place for more than three years. In some places, I have

left town after my work caused riots and disturbances. I

must admit I have been in jail three or four times, but

not because of any real wrongdoing.

"My health is not too good, though I still get a great

deal done. The churches I have preached in have been small,

though located in several large cities.

"I've not gotten along well with religious leaders in towns

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where I have preached. In fact, some have threatened me

and even attacked me physically. I am not too good at keeping

records. I have been known to forget whom I baptized.

"However, if you can use me, I shall do my best for you."

The board member looked over the committee. "Well, what

do you think? Shall we call him?"

The good church folks were aghast. Call an unhealthy, trouble-making,

absentminded ex-jailbird? Was the board member crazy? Who

signed the application? Who has such colossal nerve?

The board member eyed them all keenly before he answered,

"It's signed, `the Apostle Paul.' "

Be careful how you measure success in the spiritual realm.

Chapter 12 Paul refers to the visions and revelations he has seen and says that he has been given a thorn in his flesh to keep him from being exalted above measure.

But God is faithful and his grace is sufficient for us.

Gods strength is made perfect in our weakness

Paul told Corinth to examine themselves as to whether they were in the faith.

Paul ends with:

2 Corinthians 13:11–14 NKJV

11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. 12 Greet one another with a holy kiss. 13 All the saints greet you. 14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.